Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Dispatches from the Border, November 2018

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Upcoming Events
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Michael Marshall Smith, HANNAH GREEN AND HER UNFEASIBLY MUNDANE EXISTENCE (HarperVoyager, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 10th at 3:00 pm

Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St.) with authors Kirstin Chen, L.A. Kauffman, Rachel Khong, Achy Obejas, Tara Sim and tammy lynne stoner, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, November 10th at 6:30 pm

Tor Books #FearlessWomen event with Charlie Jane Anders, Nancy Kress, and Annalee Newitz, Sunday November 11th at 3:00 pm

POSTPONED - SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St.) with authors Nick Mamatas & Michael Marshall Smith, moderated by Terry Bisson.  This event has been delayed; we'll post the new date as soon as we have it.

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

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News
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* We're sorry to report the death of Canadian science fiction author Dave Duncan, who passed on the 30th of October.  His latest book was released this month - TRIAL BY TREASON.  https://locusmag.com/2018/10/dave-duncan-1933-2018/

* The winners of the 5th annual Philip K. Dick European Film Festival have been announced.  Check out the films you'll be scouring the internet for!  https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/The-5th-Annual-Philip-K-Dick-European-Science-Fiction-Film-Festival-Announces-Award-Winners-20181105

* An adaptation of Cixin Liu's The Wandering Earth is set to be released.  Check out the teaser trailer and more details here: https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/31/18047346/the-wandering-earth-trailer-cixin-liu-chinese-science-fiction

* Most of us know that the science in science fiction movies can frequently be a bit iffy at best.  Here are nine films (out of hundreds) that get their science wrong.  https://www.thisisinsider.com/incorrect-science-in-science-fiction-films-2018-10#recreating-dinosaurs-from-dna-as-seen-in-the-jurassic-park-franchise-doesnt-seem-plausible-1

* The links between science fiction and Scientology run deeper than a lot of us know.  L. Ron Hubbard's connection with John W. Campbell, and Campbell's influence on early Scientology is explored in a new book.  Excerpt & details here: https://boingboing.net/2018/10/29/when-golden-age-science-fictio.html

* Someone's idea of the best costumes in science fiction.  (As soon as Na'amen saw Ruby Rhod at the bottom of the list he knew it was suspect, but check it out for yourself.)  https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/debate-club-best-costumes-in-science-fiction-movies

* Tractor Beams!  We have tractor beams!  I mean. . . it's not as impressive as it sounds. . . YET! https://www.sensorsmag.com/components/tractor-beams-may-no-longer-be-science-fiction

* Den of the Geek's Aliya Whiteley is doing a guest series on addiction and science fiction.  Check out part one, in which they dive into the portrayal of alcohol: https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/sf-noir/61239/the-depiction-of-alcohol-and-addiction-in-science-fiction.  Part two tackles the portrayal of smoking, neo-noir, and addiction: https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/sf-noir/61240/smoking-science-fiction-and-addiction

* If you live in Seattle or within driving distance, you have almost a year to take a trip to The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience and check out their Worlds Beyond Here exhibit, which explores the connections between Asian-American culture and science fiction. https://www.seattleglobalist.com/2018/10/17/going-beyond-hollywood-to-explore-asian-americans-in-science-fiction/77768

* One of science fiction's greatest pop culture myths is once again proven false. https://qz.com/1443189/war-of-the-worlds-sci-fi-that-spawned-fake-news-and-a-myth/

* A very interesting in-depth look at nine sub-genres in science fiction that we don't talk about enough, and that will help your understanding of the future: https://qz.com/quartzy/1447599/nine-sci-fi-subgenres-to-help-you-understand-the-future/

* A perspective on science fiction's portrayal of the future of retail that centers South Africa rather than a location in the west: https://stuff.co.za/what-science-fiction-got-wrong-about-our-retail-future/

* 25 of the best spaceships in science fiction, covering everything from TV to videogames to movies and more: https://www.space.com/42312-greatest-spaceships-of-science-fiction.html

* What do science fiction writers have to say about Trump's "Space Force" idea?  The Washington Post crashed a convention to find out: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/we-crashed-a-science-fiction-writers-convention-to-ask-about-trumps-space-force/2018/10/29/988c2edc-cb3d-11e8-920f-dd52e1ae4570_story.html

* Five important lessons that an Indian author learned at EuroCon: https://scroll.in/article/899870/five-lessons-an-indian-author-learned-at-europes-biggest-science-fiction-and-fantasy-convention

* Congratulations to editor Liz Gorinsky, who has left her position at Tor to start her own publishing company, Erewhon Books: http://sciencefiction.com/2018/10/18/former-tor-editor-liz-gorinsky-launches-erewhon-books/

* An interview with G.R.R. Martin where the staff of the NY Times asked him their burning questions, about everything from fashion to politics: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/t-magazine/george-rr-martin-qanda-game-of-thrones.html

* An interview with the great writer Kate Elliot by Locus Magazine; learn all about her history and her forthcoming works. https://locusmag.com/2018/10/kate-elliott-visible-women/

* If you are anything like us and get obsessed with the created food in the shows you love, then you should probably hit up NYCC next year and stop by The Fandom Fantasy food truck: http://sciencefiction.com/2018/10/09/nycc-2018-fandom-fantasy-food-truck/

* Three speculative films that should get Oscar nominations, but most likely won't: https://www.inquisitr.com/opinion/5147751/three-movies-that-probably-wont-get-oscar-nominations-but-should/

* Next month the Kolkata National University of Juridical Sciences will start offering a course based in Harry Potter! Check out more details and get your transfer paperwork ready: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/timeline/India/34927/154534/all-about-india-s-first-potterverse-law-course

* LeVar Burton, who is currently touring with his live show LeVar Burton Reads, talks about the ways that Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek influenced his life: https://comicbook.com/startrek/2018/11/04/star-trek-levar-burton-gene-roddenberry-diverse-representation/

* Maps can be divisive in the speculative fiction community, but there's no denying that they are a major part of some authors' worldbuilding.  Writers and a cartographer explore their favorite maps in a new book: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/22/wizards-moomins-and-gold-the-magic-and-mysteries-of-maps

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Award News
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* The 2018 World Fantasy Award winners were announced Sunday!  Winners listed here: https://locusmag.com/2018/11/2018-world-fantasy-award-winners/.  Special congratulations to Victor LaValle and Fonda Lee, who tied for Best Novel, and local author (and sponsor) Ellen Klages, who took home the award for Best Novella for PASSING STRANGE!

* The British Science Fiction Award winners for 2018 include Marjorie Liu, Victor LaValle, Joe Hill and Jordan Peele. For a full list of winners, go here: http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/british-fantasy-awards/bfawinners/

* The 2018 Aurora Award winners have also been announced, including Fonda Lee taking home two awards for Best Novel and Best YA Novel.  See the full list here: https://prixaurorawards.ca/2018-aurora-awards-go-to/

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From The Office
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And Now, Alan Explains . . .

The last few months have been pretty fierce.  The combination of the World Science Fiction Convention in the middle of August, catchup afterwards, working on the Haight Street building, and then swinging into the Litquake festival -- it made for some busy, busy times around the shop.

In addition, I had some pretty difficult personal stuff going on all of last month.  It's all sorted out now (or at least mostly sorted) but, at the time, it was very difficult.  (For you folks who worry: no, it wasn't my health or Jude's)

And so that is why, for the first time in more than a decade, we didn't get a newsletter out last month.  It's also why this communication from me is going to be pretty short this month.  But, for the last newsletter of the year, I'll do my best to write something good.

I'm going to close with a very quick building update.  The concrete for the foundation is going to be poured on the 19th, which will finally, for all and good, bring the saga of The Beam to a complete close.  We're getting the roof replaced this month as well, and I should be able to make a start on laying the brick for the garden.

With the foundation work complete, we can finally move forward with the framing work for the new bathroom.  I have high hopes that my next update will have many pieces of good news and progress.

Warm Regards,
Alan

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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2018

1) The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi
2) Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson
3) Noir by Christopher Moore
4) Soulless: Illustrated Edition by Gail Carriger
5) Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
6) Thin Air by Richard Morgan
7) Legion by Brandon Sanderson
8) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
9) Rejoice, a Knife to the Heart by Steven Erikson
10) Uncompromising Honor by David Weber

Trade Paperbacks
1) Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
2) The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
3) The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans by Ken Liu
4) Santa Cruz Noir, edited by Susie Bright
5) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
6) The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
7) Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey
8) Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
9) What the Hell Did I Just Read? by David Wong
10) Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts

Mass Market Paperbacks
1) Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
2) Old Man's War by John Scalzi
3) The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
4) The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi
5) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
6) Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor
7) Dune by Frank Herbert
8) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
9) Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
10) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 11th, at 5 pm to discuss CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 18th, at 6 pm to discuss AUTONOMOUS by Annalee Newitz.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
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Michael Marshall Smith, HANNAH GREEN AND HER UNFEASIBLY MUNDANE EXISTENCE (HarperVoyager, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, November 10th at 3:00 pm - We couldn't be more excited to welcome Michael Marshall Smith!  We read and loved HANNAH GREEN in an advance copy, and we can't wait to host Mr. Smith so he can introduce you to HANNAH.  From the publisher: "There are a million stories in the world.  Most are perfectly ordinary. This one… isn't.  Hannah Green actually thinks her story is more mundane than most.  But she's about to discover that the shadows in her life have been hiding a world where nothing is as it seems: that there's an ancient and secret machine that converts evil deeds into energy, that some mushrooms can talk -- and that her grandfather has been friends with the Devil for over a hundred and fifty years, and now they need her help."  This is an unusual and brilliant novel, and there's even a guest appearance by the Giant Dipper coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!

Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St.) with authors Kirstin Chen, L.A. Kauffman, Rachel Khong, Achy Obejas, Tara Sim and tammy lynne stoner, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, November 10th at 6:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes authors Kirstin Chen (Bury What We Cannot Take), L.A. Kauffman (How to Read a Protest), Rachel Khong (Goodbye, Vitamin), Achy Obejas (The Tower of the Antilles), Tara Sim (Chainbreaker, Firestarter) and tammy lynne stoner (Sugar Land).  Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds.  All proceeds benefit local non-profits.  Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books. See http://www.writerswithdrinks.com for more info.

Tor Books #FearlessWomen event with Charlie Jane Anders, Nancy Kress, and Annalee Newitz, Sunday November 11th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome these three prestigious authors to Borderlands. Tor Books is celebrating a year of #FearlessWomen -- from Tor: "Women are shining in every genre of speculative fiction.  With #FearlessWomen Tor Books is excited to feature the characters and authors who are creating new blockbuster worlds and re-shaping our own.  Celebrate #FearlessWomen as we highlight women in publishing: their worlds, their voices, and their unique stories.  Join the conversation about #FearlessWomen, #FearlessSF and #FearlessFantasy with Tor Books' Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@torbooks)." We hope you'll join us to continue the conversation with Charlie Jane, Nancy Kress and Annalee Newitz.  Charlie Jane is the author of the critically-acclaimed ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY as well as thr forthcoming CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.  Annalee Newitz has written nonfiction as well as a fabulous new novel just out in paperback, AUTONMOUS.  Nancy Kress is the author of thirty-three books including the seminal BEGGARS IN SPAIN.  She has won multiple awards and her works have been translated into two dozen languages, including Klingon.

POSTPONED - SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St.) with authors Nick Mamatas & Michael Marshall Smith, moderated by Terry Bisson.  THIS EVENT IS BEING RESCHEDULED DUE TO BAY AREA AIR QUALITY.  We'll post the new date as soon as we have it.  - Suggested donation $10.)  We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm.  Donations benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com